Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Title: Shelter in the Darkness

Chapter 2: Cracks in the World

Y/N’s POV

The air in Green Home had shifted. Ever since I heard the news about the strange illness that was spreading, there was a lingering sense of fear. People in the building were talking in hushed voices, and the atmosphere felt tense—like something bad was coming.

I had only gotten to know Hyun-su a little over the past few days, but every interaction we had made me feel more connected to him. He was quiet, always thoughtful, but there was a gentleness about him that most people wouldn’t see at first glance.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The noises outside—distant screams, strange growls—made me restless. My mind wandered to Hyun-su. Was he feeling this way too? Did he also feel the weight of something lurking in the air?

Unable to shake the feeling of unease, I decided to check on him. I left my apartment and knocked gently on his door. After a moment, the door opened, revealing Hyun-su standing there, looking a little surprised to see me.

"Hey… everything okay?" I asked softly, trying not to sound too worried, even though I felt it deep down.

He looked at me for a moment, as if weighing whether or not to say what he was really thinking. "Yeah," he said, his voice quiet. "Just… something feels off."

I nodded, stepping closer. "Yeah, I feel it too. It’s like the whole world’s falling apart."

There was a pause before he opened the door wider, silently inviting me inside. It wasn’t the first time I had been in his apartment, but there was something different about tonight. Maybe it was the uncertainty hanging in the air, or maybe it was the way Hyun-su seemed more vulnerable than usual.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

I didn’t expect to see you at my door that night. But when you showed up, asking if I was okay, it hit me that maybe you were feeling it too—the same unease, the same fear.

You stepped into my apartment, and somehow, your presence made the suffocating silence less unbearable. It felt… safer with you around, even though I didn’t understand why.

We sat in the small living room, the distant sounds of chaos outside filling the quiet between us. You looked at me, your eyes full of concern, and for the first time, I found myself wanting to talk to someone. To you.

"Do you think it’s true?" I asked, my voice low. "What they’re saying about the sickness?"

You hesitated before answering. "I don’t know. But whatever’s happening, it’s not good. People are scared."

Scared. That word echoed in my mind. I had spent so much time feeling numb that I had forgotten what fear really felt like. But now, it was creeping back in—especially with you sitting so close, the thought of something happening to you making my chest tighten.

"I’m scared too," I admitted, surprising even myself with the confession.

You looked at me, your expression softening. "You’re not alone, you know. We’re all in this together."

Those words hit me harder than I expected. I wasn’t used to people telling me that. I wasn’t used to the idea of not being alone.

Before I could respond, a loud bang echoed from outside, followed by the unmistakable sound of something heavy moving through the hallway. My heart raced as I stood up, moving toward the door.

You followed close behind, your hand brushing against mine briefly, sending a jolt through me. "What was that?" you whispered, your voice shaky.

I didn’t know, but I couldn’t let you be in danger. I reached for the door handle, glancing at you. "Stay close to me."

Y/N’s POV

Hyun-su’s words caught me off guard, but I nodded, staying close as we cautiously stepped into the hallway. The tension was thick in the air, and every sound felt magnified.

The moment we stepped outside, I saw it—a creature, twisted and monstrous, moving down the hall. My breath caught in my throat as I grabbed Hyun-su’s arm, my heart pounding in fear.

He was calm, even though I could see the worry in his eyes. He didn’t panic, and somehow that helped me stay grounded. "We need to get back inside," he whispered, gently pulling me away from the door.

But before we could retreat, the monster turned, its grotesque face locking onto us. I froze in place, terror gripping me, but Hyun-su didn’t hesitate. He pulled me behind him, shielding me with his body.

"Run!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

We sprinted back into his apartment, slamming the door shut just as the monster lunged. I collapsed against the wall, my chest heaving, fear still coursing through me.

Hyun-su stood there, his back pressed against the door, his face pale but determined. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice steady despite everything that had just happened.

I nodded, though my whole body was shaking. "I’m fine," I managed to say, even though my heart was still racing. "Thanks… for protecting me."

He didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes told me everything. He was scared too, but he wasn’t going to let anything happen to me. And that realization hit me harder than any fear of the monsters outside.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

I couldn’t stop thinking about the way you looked at me after we escaped from the monster. You were terrified, but you still managed to thank me. As if I had done something brave.

But I didn’t feel brave. I was scared—more scared than I had been in a long time. Not just because of the monsters outside, but because of the way you made me feel. You trusted me. You looked to me for protection. And that responsibility weighed heavily on me.

I sat down next to you, my heart still racing from the encounter. "We can’t stay here," I said quietly, glancing toward the door. "It’s not safe."

You nodded, your eyes filled with worry. "Where can we go?"

"I don’t know yet," I admitted. "But we’ll figure it out."

For a moment, there was silence between us, and then, to my surprise, you reached out and took my hand. Your touch was warm, grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected.

"Whatever happens," you said softly, "we’ll face it together. You don’t have to do this alone, Hyun-su."

Your words hit me hard, breaking through the wall I had built around myself. I didn’t respond, but I squeezed your hand gently, holding onto that small piece of comfort you were offering.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like maybe, just maybe, I didn’t have to face this darkness alone.

Y/N’s POV

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. The world outside was crumbling, monsters were lurking around every corner, and the fear in Green Home was palpable. But sitting here with Hyun-su, holding his hand, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—hope.

It wasn’t just that he had protected me. It was the way he made me feel safe, even in the midst of all this chaos. There was something about Hyun-su that drew me in, something that made me want to stay by his side no matter what happened next.

"We’ll be okay," I whispered, more to reassure myself than anything.

Hyun-su didn’t reply, but the way he looked at me told me he believed it too, even if just for a moment.

In that moment, it didn’t matter how dark the world outside was. As long as we had each other, I knew we’d find a way to survive.

End of Chapter 2

Next | Previous

Chapter 7

Title: Beneath the Surface

Chapter 7: Shattered Hope

Y/N’s POV

Hours passed since Hyun-su lured the monsters away from the rooftop. We hadn’t heard anything from him yet. The air was thick with tension, and everyone was restless, waiting for something to happen. Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity.

I kept glancing at the door, praying that he’d come through it any second now. The thought of him out there, alone, risking his life, gnawed at me. I hated this helplessness. All I could do was wait.

Jae-heon moved around, talking quietly with the other survivors, discussing what our next move would be. He was trying to keep everyone calm, but I could see the fear in his eyes too. We were running out of time, and the monsters were getting more aggressive.

“Y/N,” Jae-heon said, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, though the tightness in my chest didn’t loosen. “I’m fine. Just… worried.”

Jae-heon placed a hand on my shoulder, his expression softening. “He’ll come back. Hyun-su is strong.”

I wanted to believe him. But a part of me was terrified that I wouldn’t see Hyun-su again. That thought made my heart ache.

“I know he’s strong,” I whispered, my voice shaky. “But this is… this is different.”

Jae-heon didn’t argue. He just gave me a reassuring look and moved to help the others with reinforcing the barricades.

I hugged my knees to my chest, sitting on the cold floor, my mind racing. What if something had gone wrong? What if Hyun-su—

Before I could finish the thought, the door burst open, and Hyun-su staggered inside.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

Every muscle in my body screamed in pain as I stumbled into the room, the adrenaline finally wearing off. I had managed to lead the monsters away, but barely. The whole time, I could feel the transformation inside me fighting to take over. I had to push it back, to stay in control.

But now, I was completely drained.

The room fell silent as I entered, everyone’s eyes on me. But the only person I cared about seeing was Y/N.

She was on her feet in an instant, rushing toward me. The relief in her eyes almost broke me. I’d never wanted to let her down, never wanted her to see me like this—weak, exhausted, barely holding on.

“Hyun-su!” Y/N’s voice was full of emotion as she reached me, her hands gently gripping my arms. “Are you okay?”

I nodded, though my legs felt like they might give out at any second. “I’m fine,” I lied, trying to steady my breathing.

“You look awful,” she said softly, her brow furrowed in concern.

I wanted to reassure her, to tell her I was okay. But I couldn’t find the words. The truth was, I wasn’t okay. The monster inside me was getting stronger, and I didn’t know how much longer I could keep it at bay.

But I couldn’t tell her that. I couldn’t let her see how scared I really was.

“I’m fine,” I repeated, forcing a small smile.

Y/N didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press the issue. Instead, she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. For a moment, everything else faded away. The fear, the pain, the constant threat of death—it all disappeared as I held her.

“I was so worried about you,” she whispered against my chest.

“I know,” I murmured, resting my chin on her head. “But I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Y/N’s POV

I didn’t want to let go of him. Not after everything that had happened. Holding Hyun-su like this, feeling his warmth, it made me forget, just for a moment, the hell we were living in.

But we couldn’t stay like this forever. Reluctantly, I pulled back, though my hands lingered on his arms. His face was pale, and I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. He wasn’t telling me everything, but I didn’t want to push him. Not now.

Jae-heon approached us, his expression grim. “Hyun-su, we need to talk. There’s something… something else.”

Hyun-su nodded, his jaw clenched. “What is it?”

Jae-heon hesitated, glancing at the others before speaking. “We’ve found another survivor. Someone… infected, like you.”

My heart skipped a beat. Another person like Hyun-su? Was that even possible?

“Where are they?” Hyun-su asked, his voice tense.

“Downstairs, in the basement. We locked them up for now. But they’re different. More aggressive.”

I saw Hyun-su’s expression harden. The fear I’d seen in his eyes earlier was back. Whatever this meant, it wasn’t good.

“I’ll go see them,” Hyun-su said, determination in his voice.

“No!” I blurted out, grabbing his arm. “You just got back. You need to rest. Let someone else—”

“I have to do this,” he interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “I need to know if… if I’m going to end up like them.”

The words hung heavy in the air. I didn’t want to think about that possibility—Hyun-su turning into one of those creatures, losing himself completely. But I could see the fear in his eyes. He was worried too.

“Then I’m coming with you,” I said firmly.

Hyun-su looked like he was about to argue, but then he sighed, nodding. “Okay. But stay close to me.”

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

We made our way to the basement, the tension thick between us. Y/N was silent, but I could feel her worry radiating off her. I didn’t blame her. I was scared too—scared of what I might see, of what it might mean for me.

The basement was dark and cold, the air damp and heavy. As we approached the locked door, I could hear something moving inside—scraping, low growls, the sound of something inhuman.

Jae-heon unlocked the door, and the sound grew louder. My heart pounded in my chest as we stepped inside.

The creature inside wasn’t fully transformed yet. It was still human… mostly. But its eyes were wild, filled with rage and fear. It snarled as it saw us, its body twitching with every movement.

I swallowed hard, my stomach churning. This could be me. This could be what I turn into.

“Hyun-su…” Y/N’s voice was soft, but I could hear the fear in it.

I forced myself to look at the creature, to study it. It was losing itself, the human part of it slipping away. I could feel the monster inside me stirring, as if it was trying to take control, to break free.

But I wasn’t going to let it. I couldn’t.

“This is what you’re fighting against,” Jae-heon said quietly. “You have to stay in control, Hyun-su. For all of us.”

I nodded, clenching my fists. “I won’t let this happen to me.”

Y/N’s POV

I watched Hyun-su as he stared at the creature, his expression tense and conflicted. I could only imagine what was going through his mind. Seeing that thing—it must have felt like looking at his own worst nightmare.

But I knew Hyun-su. He was stronger than that. He wouldn’t let this thing take over him. I believed in him, even if he didn’t fully believe in himself.

“We should go,” I said softly, reaching for his hand.

Hyun-su didn’t move for a moment, his gaze still locked on the creature. But then, slowly, he turned and took my hand, his grip tight. “Yeah,” he muttered. “Let’s go.”

As we left the basement, I couldn’t help but glance back at the creature one last time. I hated it. Not just because it was a monster, but because it represented everything I feared for Hyun-su.

But I wouldn’t let it win. I wouldn’t let the fear consume me.

We walked back up the stairs in silence, but I didn’t let go of Hyun-su’s hand. Whatever happened, whatever came next, we would face it together.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

Y/N’s hand in mine was the only thing keeping me grounded. The monster inside me was still there, lurking beneath the surface, but I was determined to fight it. For her. For everyone.

As we reached the top of the stairs, Jae-heon gave me a reassuring nod. “We’ll figure this out, Hyun-su. You’re not alone in this.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold on. But Y/N’s presence gave me hope. As long as she was by my side, I had something to fight for.

“We’ll get through this,” I said quietly, looking at Y/N.

She smiled, though I could see the worry still lingering in her eyes. “We will.”

And for the first time in a long

time, I allowed myself to believe that.

End of Chapter 7

Next | Previous

Into the chaos

Title: Into the Chaos

The walls of the base were starting to feel suffocating. Every day felt like it could be the last, and despite all the fear, the anxiety, the looming threat of monsters outside, I needed to get out—even if just for a little while.

The others were too focused on survival to notice when I slipped out. It was reckless, I knew that. But I wasn’t thinking about the danger. I was thinking about the fresh air, the night sky, and the brief taste of freedom.

With some of the other residents sneaking out for supply runs, it didn’t seem like too much of a risk to join them. They didn’t question it, figuring I needed the break as much as anyone. We moved in silence, every shadow and distant sound keeping us on edge, but I tried to shake off the fear.

Back at the base, everything was quiet—until it wasn’t.

Kim Yeong-hu paced by the entrance, his rifle slung over his shoulder, eyes scanning the surroundings. It had been a tense few days, and the weight of being the protector of the group was wearing on him. He wouldn’t let it show, though. That wasn’t his way.

One of the residents approached him cautiously. "Hey, Yeong-hu… they just finished the roll call."

He glanced over, already sensing something was off. "And?"

"There’s a problem. Y/N… she’s not here."

The blood drained from his face as the words sunk in. You weren’t there? His heart pounded in his chest as panic swelled, but he forced himself to stay calm, at least on the surface.

"Are you sure?" His voice was low, laced with barely contained worry.

The resident nodded. "She must’ve gone out with one of the other groups, but no one saw her leave."

Yeong-hu’s hands clenched into fists. He had told you to stay close, told you not to leave without him. This world was dangerous, even more so with monsters lurking in every dark corner. The thought of you out there, alone, with no protection—it drove him insane.

Without another word, Yeong-hu stormed toward the weapons locker, his mind racing. He couldn’t waste time; every second you were out there, your life was in danger. He grabbed his gear with swift, practiced movements, his breath growing shallow as fear gripped him tighter with every passing moment.

I was out in the open, the night air cool against my skin as I kept pace with the others. We had found some supplies, a few things we needed, but I could feel the growing tension in the air. The monsters had been quiet recently—too quiet. And that silence felt heavier than the chaos we were used to.

We were just about to head back when it happened.

A deep growl echoed in the distance, then another. The sound sent chills down my spine, and everyone froze. Eyes wide, hearts pounding, we turned to see figures moving in the shadows, their grotesque forms twisting in unnatural ways. Monsters.

"Run!" someone shouted, and we didn’t need to be told twice.

I sprinted with everything I had, but I could hear them behind me, closing in fast. Fear tightened my throat as I dodged through the broken streets, my mind screaming at me to find cover. I shouldn’t have left the base. This was a mistake—a huge mistake.

Back at the base, Yeong-hu wasn’t thinking rationally anymore. He moved with a singular focus—find you. Nothing else mattered. His steps were quick and precise, and despite the chaos around him, his only goal was to bring you back, to make sure you were safe. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to you.

"Yeong-hu!" One of the residents tried to stop him as he prepared to leave the base. "You can’t go out there alone. It’s too dangerous!"

"I’m not leaving her out there," Yeong-hu snapped, his voice low and fierce. "Not while there are monsters crawling around."

"You don’t even know where she is!" The resident looked panicked, but Yeong-hu’s resolve didn’t waver.

"I’ll find her." His voice was hard, determined. "I have to."

Without waiting for any more protests, he stepped out into the night, the familiar weight of his rifle comforting but not enough to ease the knot in his chest. He moved swiftly through the streets, his eyes scanning every alley, every corner, every shadow. His heart raced with every minute that passed, and the longer he couldn’t find you, the more his mind spiraled.

I could barely breathe as I ducked into a narrow alley, trying to catch my breath. The others had scattered, and I had no idea where they were. My pulse hammered in my ears as the distant growls grew closer again. I needed to move, but my legs felt like lead.

And then, I heard it.

"Y/N!"

My heart skipped at the sound of his voice—Yeong-hu. Relief washed over me, but just as quickly, fear followed. If he was out here, that meant he’d left the safety of the base to find me. He was risking his life—again. All because I had been reckless.

"Y/N!" His voice was closer now, urgent, desperate.

"Here!" I called out, my voice shaky as I stepped out of the alley.

A shadow moved, and suddenly, he was there, his eyes wide with relief when he saw me. He closed the distance between us in a few long strides, his hands grabbing my arms as if to make sure I was real, that I was safe.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was low, but there was a tremor in it. He was furious, I could tell, but the relief in his eyes softened the anger.

"No, I’m fine," I managed, my breath still ragged. "But we have to go. Now."

The growl behind us confirmed it. We didn’t have time for explanations or apologies. Without hesitation, Yeong-hu grabbed my hand, his grip firm as he led me through the streets, weaving through the debris with practiced ease. He didn’t let go, not for a second, even as we sprinted back toward the base, the sounds of the monsters following close behind.

When we finally made it back, the gates of the base closed behind us, shutting out the horrors of the outside world. I collapsed against the wall, trying to catch my breath, but Yeong-hu was still standing, pacing back and forth, his face a mixture of fury and relief.

"What were you thinking?" he snapped, his voice sharp but edged with concern. "You could have been killed!"

"I just—" I started, but he didn’t let me finish.

"You promised me you’d be careful. That you wouldn’t take risks like this. Do you have any idea what could’ve happened out there?" His voice cracked, his frustration boiling over.

"I know, I’m sorry," I whispered, guilt weighing heavy on my chest. "I wasn’t thinking. I just wanted to help, but I didn’t realize—"

"You don’t get it, do you?" Yeong-hu interrupted, stepping closer, his eyes locking with mine. "If something happened to you, I—" He paused, his jaw clenching as he struggled with the words. "I wouldn’t be able to handle it."

His confession hit me hard, the weight of it settling between us. He wasn’t just angry because I’d put myself in danger—he was terrified of losing me.

"I’m sorry," I said again, softer this time. "I didn’t mean to make you worry."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before pulling me into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around me protectively, as if he was trying to shield me from the world. "Just… don’t do it again," he whispered against my hair, his voice softer now, more vulnerable. "I need you to be safe."

I nodded, my face buried in his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against mine. "I promise," I whispered.

For now, we were safe. But in this world, safety was fleeting, and I knew that as long as the monsters roamed outside, Yeong-hu would never stop protecting me.

And I’d never stop needing him.

End

Chasing Stars

The city lights blurred past as I leaned against the tinted window of the car, my heartbeat racing in time with the thrum of the engine. Tonight was supposed to be a low-key date, just Jungkook and me sneaking away from the chaos of our lives as idols. But things never seemed to go as planned when it came to us.

“We’ve got a problem,” Jungkook muttered, glancing in the rearview mirror. His voice was calm, but I could sense the tension in his words. I turned my head, catching a glimpse of the paparazzi’s headlights flashing like unwanted fireworks behind us. They were relentless, as usual.

“Of course we do,” I sighed, a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling up. “We can’t catch a break, can we?”

Jungkook flashed me that trademark smirk, the one that made my knees weak even in the most stressful moments. “Wouldn’t be as fun if it was easy, right?” His hand found mine, fingers interlocking as if to remind me that we were in this together, no matter how many cameras tried to invade our little world.

I squeezed his hand back, feeling the warmth and strength that always calmed my nerves. “What’s the plan, genius?”

He glanced at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hold on tight.”

Without another word, he made a sharp turn, the car swerving into a narrow alleyway that seemed to barely fit us. The paparazzi behind us hesitated, unsure if they could make the turn. Jungkook floored the gas, and we sped through the alley, the walls on either side a blur of graffiti and shadows.

“Seriously, do you have to make everything feel like a car chase in an action movie?” I laughed, the adrenaline making my voice pitch higher than usual.

Jungkook grinned, his eyes never leaving the road. “You love it. Besides, this is the only way we get any alone time.”

He wasn’t wrong. Between our hectic schedules, public scrutiny, and the constant pressure of being in the spotlight, moments like this were rare treasures. A secret rendezvous that felt like a rebellion against the rules of fame. And in these stolen moments, he wasn’t Jungkook of BTS, and I wasn’t a celebrity. We were just two people crazy about each other.

We finally lost the paparazzi, pulling into the underground garage of a luxury hotel where we had a private suite booked under a fake name. Jungkook parked the car, and for a second, we just sat there, catching our breath and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

“I think we deserve a medal for that,” I said, still half-laughing, half-breathless.

He leaned over, his face inches from mine, eyes dark and intense. “How about I just kiss you instead?”

Before I could respond, his lips were on mine, and every thought about the chase, the cameras, and the chaos faded away. It was just us, wrapped up in a kiss that felt like coming home. His hands slid to my waist, pulling me closer, and I could feel the smile on his lips as our kiss deepened.

“I missed this,” I whispered against his mouth, my fingers tangling in his hair. “I missed you.”

He pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against mine. “I missed you too. Every second.”

We stayed like that for a moment, just breathing each other in, savoring the peace that only came when we were together. Eventually, we pulled away and made our way up to the suite, keeping our heads low just in case. The suite was perfect—dim lighting, soft music playing, and an impressive view of the city skyline that shimmered against the night.

Jungkook walked over to the window, gazing out at the city below. “You know,” he said, his voice softer now, “sometimes I wonder what it would be like if we didn’t have to hide.”

I moved to stand beside him, our shoulders brushing. “It would be easier, that’s for sure. But then again, maybe it wouldn’t be as exciting.”

He turned to face me, his expression thoughtful yet teasing. “You think sneaking around with me is exciting, huh?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool even though my heart was doing somersaults. “Let’s just say it keeps things interesting.”

Jungkook’s laugh was low and rich, sending a shiver down my spine. “Well, I’m glad I can keep you entertained,” he murmured, his hand finding its way to my cheek. He leaned in, his lips ghosting over mine. “Let’s make tonight count, then.”

And we did. For a few precious hours, we were free. We danced in the suite like no one was watching, shared stolen kisses, and whispered secrets under the soft glow of the city lights. We laughed until our sides hurt, teased each other about everything and nothing, and reveled in the simple joy of being together without the world watching.

As the night wore on, we ended up tangled on the couch, Jungkook’s arm around my shoulders and my head resting against his chest. The world outside continued to buzz and spin, but here, in this little bubble of stolen time, everything felt perfect.

“I don’t care how many times we have to run,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “As long as I’m with you, it’s worth it.”

I smiled, snuggling closer. “Yeah,” I agreed, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear. “It’s always worth it.”

And in that moment, I knew he was right. Because no matter how many twists and turns life threw at us, as long as we were together, we could face anything.

OT7: Sunset Songs [Masterlist]

In which a hybrid is nothing but a status symbol, a pet, a sign of wealth and power- or are you maybe more than that?

Tags/Warnings: another hybrid fic shut up, Idol!OT7, Puppy hybrid!Reader, stigmatization and shitty views on hybrids, romance, angst

♥━━━━━━━━━━━♡━━━━━━━━━━━━♥

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part ???

♥━━━━━━━━━━━♡━━━━━━━━━━━━♥

Chapter 6

Title: Fear and Fire

Chapter 6: The Point of No Return

Y/N’s POV

The sounds of the monsters grew louder, their eerie screeches echoing throughout the building. Every second felt like we were on the edge of something terrible. As Hyun-su and I crouched in the dimly lit room, my heart pounded in my chest, fear swirling in my veins.

We had barely escaped the lower floors. The monsters had broken through the barricades, and the building was quickly becoming a death trap. People were scattered, lost in the panic. It was chaos.

Hyun-su hadn’t let go of my hand since we fled. His grip was tight, as if he was afraid I’d slip away from him. And maybe he was right to feel that way. In this nightmare, everything we held onto could be ripped away in a moment.

“We can’t stay here for long,” Hyun-su muttered, glancing around the room. His eyes were sharp, calculating. Even in his exhaustion, he was thinking ten steps ahead.

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. “Where can we go? Everywhere seems… infected.”

Hyun-su frowned, his gaze flickering toward the door as if the answer would come bursting through. “There’s only one place left—the rooftop. If we can make it there, maybe we can hold out until… something.”

I knew what he wasn’t saying. The ‘something’ he hoped for—rescue, escape, a miracle—was unlikely. But he couldn’t give up. Neither could I.

Before we could move, a familiar voice echoed from the hallway. “Hyun-su? Y/N?”

My heart leapt as I recognized it. Jae-heon, the pastor, came around the corner with a few other survivors trailing behind him. Relief washed over me, but it didn’t last long. Their faces were pale, and Jae-heon’s eyes were grim.

“They’re everywhere,” Jae-heon said, his voice tight with fear. “We can’t hold them off anymore.”

Hyun-su clenched his jaw, looking over at me. I knew what he was thinking. If the monsters had overrun most of the building, we were out of options.

“We’re heading to the roof,” Hyun-su said quickly, not wasting time. “That’s our best shot.”

Jae-heon hesitated, glancing back at the few people who had followed him. “The roof… it’s exposed. What if they climb up there?”

“It’s a risk,” Hyun-su admitted, “but staying here is suicide.”

I could see the weight of the decision pressing down on Jae-heon, but finally, he nodded. “Let’s go.”

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

There wasn’t time to waste. Every second we lingered, the monsters got closer. I led the group, keeping Y/N right by my side. Her presence was like an anchor, keeping me grounded in the madness. No matter what happened, I couldn’t let anything happen to her.

The stairwell up to the roof was eerily quiet. Too quiet. The others were moving slowly, carefully, but I could feel the tension radiating off them. Everyone knew that one wrong move could alert the monsters, and we’d all be dead.

Just as we reached the final flight of stairs, a blood-curdling screech pierced the air. My heart stopped.

Behind us, two of the creatures appeared, their grotesque bodies filling the narrow corridor. Their mouths opened wide, sharp teeth glistening as they lunged toward us.

“Run!” I shouted, my voice hoarse.

We didn’t need to be told twice. I grabbed Y/N’s hand, pulling her up the stairs as the others scrambled behind us. The monsters were fast—too fast—but we were faster.

We burst through the door to the roof, the fresh air hitting us like a wave. But there was no time to feel relieved. The monsters were right on our heels.

“Block the door!” Jae-heon yelled.

Several of us pushed a heavy metal barrel in front of the door, hoping it would hold for at least a few minutes. I could hear the creatures pounding on the other side, their rage vibrating through the metal.

Panting, I turned to Y/N. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, though I could see the fear in her eyes. “Yeah. You?”

“I’m fine,” I lied. The truth was, I was exhausted. But I couldn’t let her see that. I had to be strong—for her.

Y/N’s POV

The tension on the roof was unbearable. We all knew this was only a temporary reprieve. The monsters were relentless, and they wouldn’t stop until they tore through that door or climbed up the sides of the building.

“We can’t stay up here forever,” one of the other survivors muttered, pacing nervously.

I glanced at Hyun-su, whose eyes were scanning the edge of the roof. He was always thinking, always looking for a solution. It was one of the things that drew me to him—his quiet strength, his ability to stay calm even when the world was burning.

“We’ll have to keep moving,” Hyun-su said, his voice steady. “We’ll figure out our next move when the time comes.”

The others didn’t seem reassured, but no one argued with him. What else could we do? This was survival, and there were no guarantees.

Jae-heon stepped closer to Hyun-su and me, his face full of concern. “Hyun-su, there’s something we need to talk about. The others… they’re starting to notice.”

I frowned. “Notice what?”

Jae-heon hesitated, glancing at me before continuing. “Hyun-su, you’re… changing, aren’t you?”

My breath caught in my throat. Hyun-su’s condition—it had started back on the lower floors. The strange symptoms, the way he seemed different sometimes, as if he was fighting something inside. But I had pushed it aside, not wanting to believe it.

I turned to Hyun-su, my heart racing. “Is that true?”

He didn’t answer right away, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. “I can control it,” he said finally, his voice low. “For now.”

My chest tightened, fear swirling inside me. I didn’t want to think about what that meant. I didn’t want to imagine a world where Hyun-su became one of those monsters.

But as much as I hated it, I couldn’t deny the truth. Something was happening to him.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

I hated seeing the fear in Y/N’s eyes. I didn’t want her to look at me like that, like I was something dangerous. But I couldn’t lie to her. I was changing. I could feel it. The monster inside me was growing stronger, and it was getting harder to fight.

But I had to fight it. For her.

“Y/N,” I said quietly, stepping closer to her. “I’m not going to let this thing take over. I won’t become one of them.”

She looked at me, her eyes filled with worry. “But what if you can’t control it?”

I took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I’ll figure it out. I won’t leave you.”

For a moment, she just stared at me, searching my face for any sign of the monster. But then she nodded, her fingers tightening around mine. “I trust you, Hyun-su.”

Those words—they gave me strength. As long as she believed in me, I could keep fighting.

But then, another loud crash came from the door. The monsters were getting closer, and we were running out of time.

Jae-heon stepped forward, his expression grim. “We need a plan.”

“We need to lure them away,” Hyun-su said. “If we can get them off this floor, we might have a chance.”

The others exchanged uneasy glances, but no one had a better idea. We were running out of options.

“I’ll do it,” Hyun-su said firmly.

“No!” I blurted out, my heart sinking. “You can’t. It’s too dangerous.”

But Hyun-su shook his head. “It has to be me. I’m faster. I can handle it.”

I wanted to argue, to beg him not to go, but I knew he was right. He was the only one who could do it. And that terrified me.

“Just… be careful,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

Hyun-su gave me a small, reassuring smile. “I will.”

Y/N’s POV

Watching Hyun-su step toward the edge of the roof, my heart ached. I knew he was doing this for us, for me, but the thought of him risking his life made me feel sick.

The others gathered near the door, ready to block it again once Hyun-su made his move. Jae-heon stood beside me, his face tense as he watched Hyun-su prepare.

“He’s brave,” Jae-heon said quietly.

I nodded, unable to take my eyes off him. “Yeah. He is.”

Hyun-su glanced back at me one last time, and I saw the determination in his eyes. He wasn’t just doing this to survive—he was doing it for all

of us. And in that moment, I realized just how much he meant to me.

“Go,” Jae-heon whispered to Hyun-su.

And with that, Hyun-su took a deep breath and jumped from the edge, landing on a lower platform. My heart stopped as I watched him sprint across the roof, drawing the monsters’ attention away from us.

The screeches of the creatures filled the air as they followed him, and I could only pray that he’d be okay.

Cha Hyun-su’s POV

The adrenaline surged through me as I ran, the sound of the monsters closing in behind me. My body ached, but I pushed through the pain. I had to lead them away. I had to buy everyone more time.

The monsters were relentless, their twisted forms scrambling across the walls as they chased after me. But I was faster. I had to be.

I leapt from one ledge to another, my heart pounding in my chest. The monsters shrieked in frustration, but they kept coming. I couldn’t stop. Not now.

I glanced back once, just for a second, and saw Y/N watching me from the rooftop. Her eyes were wide with fear, but I could see something else in them—hope.

That hope, that trust she had in me, it gave me the strength to keep going.

No matter what happened, I couldn’t let her down.

End of Chapter 6

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